Vaccinations for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Updated Review

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are at an increased risk for infectious complications due to the immune disturbance inherent with disease pathophysiology and immunosuppressive therapies. Some of these infections are vaccine preventable, making immunizations of critical importance for the preventative care of patients with IBD. Physicians caring for these patients should familiarize themselves with vaccination schedules to ensure that not only are patients up to date with their vaccines, but that patients receive them at the appropriate time, ideally before initiating immunosuppressant therapy. This review highlights vaccinations for patients with IBD, suggestions for increasing vaccination rates in your practice and new changes in practice guidelines.